When an opportunity came about to share her love for animals with her own medical practice, Dr. Melissa Hendricks gladly took hold of the reins.
Hendricks began working at the Hillview Animal Hospital and Clinic with Dr. B.J. Cash as a technician, before going to Tuskegee University in Alabama for her veterinary degree.
In 2006, Hendricks was working for another doctor when she received a call from Cash telling her he was selling the practice and wondered if she would be interested in taking it over.
“I thought he was going to offer me a position at the clinic,” she said. “I couldn’t believe he was selling and I couldn’t believe that he was asking me.
Because of her time spent as a tech at the clinic before, Hendricks said she knew the area and knew some of the clients, making the offer was one she couldn’t refuse.
“I was scared out of my mind but I thought ‘well, I can try,’” she said.
Ten years later, the practice is still going strong.
“I’m happy,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay here as long as they let me. I like helping the people of Hillview.”
Ever since she was a little girl, Hendricks said she has had a passion for helping things that can’t help themselves and, for her, animals seem to be the best fit.
“I’m meant to be their voice,” she said. “They have such unconditional love…it’s unbelievable how much an animal can love you when a person won’t.”
It’s that love for the animals that she says makes her practice stand out from the rest.
“I really think that I’m very compassionate and I’m very caring,” she said. “I’m not going to try and take your money. I’m going to do what I believe is right.”
Hillview Animal Hospital and Clinic works mostly with dogs and cats and their services include vaccinations, preventative care, in-house blood work, x-rays, dentals, and spay and neuter surgeries.
It’s Hendricks hope to hire another veterinarian in the future to assist with surgeries, allowing her more time spent up front helping more animals.
Although the clinic’s main goal isn’t to take in animals that need home, there are a couple of kittens and a bulldog the practice is caring for until a new “forever” family can be found.
Along with the regular patients, Hillview Animal Hospital sponsors Drako, the Hillview Police Department’s narcotics service dog, providing all his medical and preventative care needs.
Hillview Animal Hospital and Clinic is located at 156 Hillview Blvd in Hillview. It is open Monday through Saturday. For a list of times or for more information, visit www.hillviewanimalhospital.com, call 502-955-8066 or email HillviewAnimal07@aol.com.

Stephanie Jessie

Dr. Melissa Hendricks holds two of the kittens she's helping nurse back to health at the Hillview Animal Hospital.